ES2684504T3 - Fixing / plating device of an outer covering against a layer of foam fixed to a wall of the structure of a seat backrest - Google Patents

Abstract

Fixing / plating device of an outer covering (3) against a seat backrest, comprising: - a backrest structure (1) having a peripheral edge and a connector; - a fitting (2) covering the structure (1) of the backrest; - a covering (3) attached to the peripheral edge of the structure (1) of the backrest and covering the lining (2); - an intermediate pin-type fixing element (4) provided with an outer head (6) resting on the lining (3) and a rod (7) secured to said head (6) and extending through the fitting (2), the free end of the rod (7) consisting of a terminal part (10) that is fixed in the connector, such that an axial displacement of the organ in the connector occurs when a pressure is applied to the liner (3 ) and to the fitting (2), characterized in that the mechanical connection between the pin (4) and the structure (1) allows an axial displacement (d) of the pin (4), and why the axial displacement (d) of the pin (4) is delimited by two stops (11, 12), the first stop (11) being activated in the direction of insertion of the rod (7) through the foam layer (2) and the structure (1) so limiting its insertion in the hole (13), the second stop (12) being activated in the direction of removal of the stem (7) from so as to prevent it from leaving the hole (13), the first stop (11) consisting of a flange that marks the boundary between an intermediate portion (9) of the stem (7) and an excess thickness portion (8) of the stem (7) which joins the head (6) of the pin (4), and marking the second stop (12) the boundary between said intermediate portion (9) and the terminal part (10) of the rod (7).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Fixing / plating device of an outer covering against a layer of foam fixed to a wall of the structure of a seat backrest.

The invention relates to a fixing / plating device (of the French, "placage") of an outer covering against an elastic layer type of thickness and foam fitting attached to the structure of a seat or a seat backrest.

Such a device envisages plating the outer covering, typically a flexible fabric, so that the latter coincides with the shape of the backrest or seat lining, and that there is no area where the outer covering is tensioned with respect to to the foam when it has a concavity, thus forming an ugly vacuum between the tensioned outer lining and the foam, since it does not reproduce the real profile of the backrest.

Until now, this plating problem has been indirectly solved by joining different pieces of coatings with each other on the same backrest, each piece of coating corresponding to a foam area that has a predefined shape so that the pieces of coating, Once in solidarity with each other, follow in its entirety the shape given by the foam. In other words, it was not a matter of using a single piece of fabric for complex forms of the backrest.

This is particularly the case in seats and backrests used in the field of the automobile.

In general, these cladding pieces are seized by seams and frequently fixed peripherally by means of male connectors suitable for clamping into female connectors pre-inserted in the foam of the seat or backrest.

The clamping between the male connector and the female connector is then carried out inside the foam, in a hollow area provided for this purpose.

JP 2011156252 and WO 201124675 or even US 20080224509 disclose such plating devices, which suffer from the inconvenience of an annoying and long embodiment in view of the number of joints to be made and, in addition, it is not easy since it is carried out in Blind part inside the foam.

The fragmentation of the outer covering complicates its fixation to the structure and the foam and gives the backrest and the seat an unsightly appearance of the exterior.

The male and female connectors are also relatively elaborate components, which entail an additional cost for the manufacture of the seat.

There are also plating devices made from padding buttons.

These buttons are used more for the decoration of sofas or armchairs. They are composed of a relatively thick head and well visible from the outside since it is a decorative element, and by a rod that has a funnel in the shape of a tip, so that you can nail the button in the stuffed fitting of the armchair.

A clip is provided so that the buttons cannot be removed from the armchair.

Therefore, again, it is necessary to have both a male part (the button) and a female part (the clip) to be able to plaque the liner against the seat padding.

US 5,214,811, GB 2 025 558 and US 3,771 199 disclose padding buttons of this type.

These padding buttons suffer from the inconvenience of having a relatively thick and imposing head and, therefore, can be a nuisance on the user's back when the user is supported by the back of a seat, for example.

On the other hand, these buttons do not allow the lining to match the shape of the filled lining since they compress it strongly from the moment they are clamped. They create compression zones in the armchair, which are supposed to be decorative.

Thus, the objective of the invention is to propose a fixing / plating device of an outer covering against a layer of foam fixed to the structure of a seat or the back of a seat that is simple to make, which allows a coating of a single piece matches the shape of the foam and does not bother when the user sits on the seat or leans on the seat, and this, whatever the state of the

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foam compression.

To this end, the present invention relates to a fixing / plating device according to claim 1.

The lining consists of an elastic layer of thickness and foam attached to the backrest structure.

The terminal part is elastically clamped in the connector consisting of a hole in a wall of the structure, the length l being between the head of the pin and the terminal part provided for the head to rest on the coating against the foam, allowing the mechanical connection between the pin and the structure an axial displacement d of the pin of amplitude less than e.

This pin thus has the advantage of having a flat head that, therefore, is not noticeable to the user's back when it rests on the back of the seat.

On the other hand, the pin is clamp directly on the wall of the backrest structure. Indeed, the connector is directly integrated in the backrest structure and consists of a wall of the structure in which a hole is made. Therefore, it is not necessary to manufacture a specific and independent male part of the structure of the chair to allow pinching of the pin and thus maintaining the coating applied against the foam. This device is thus very simplified with respect to the devices known in the prior art.

Advantageously, the fixing of the pin in the structure is done instantaneously and without tools.

Another advantage lies in the fact that the pin can have an axial displacement (d) and thus adapts instantaneously to the compression of the foam. In fact, the foam is compressed more or less depending on the position of the person on the seat and also depending on their weight.

For the back of the seat, for example, when the person is not resting on the seat, the foam is not compressed. In this case, the head of the pin rests on the coating against the foam almost without compressing it.

When the user rests on the back of the seat and compresses the foam, the pin is provided so that it can also sink inside the backrest by an axial displacement so that it does not protrude from the back of the seat and that the user does not I noticed it on his back.

The pin follows, in some way, the compression movement of the foam. Therefore, whatever the state of compression of the foam, the outer coating is always well applied against the foam and the pin is never perceived by the user.

According to the invention, the axial displacement (d) of the pin is delimited by two stops, the first stop being activated in the direction of insertion of the rod through the foam layer and the structure so as to limit its insertion into the hole, the second stop being activated in the direction of removal of the stem so as to prevent it from exiting the hole.

More precisely, each stop consists of a locking face in translation of the pin oriented perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the pin in the hole and located opposite the wall of the structure in which the hole is made, said locking face being in translation suitable for coming into contact with said wall of the structure.

In particular, when the foam is not compressed, the second stop comes into contact with the wall of the structure, while, when the foam is compressed to the maximum, it is the first stop that comes into contact with the wall of the structure.

According to the invention, the first stop consists of a flange that marks the boundary between an intermediate portion of the rod and an overweight portion of the rod that joins the head of the pin, and in which the second stop marks the limit between said intermediate portion and the pinched end portion of the rod.

This zone of excess thickness of the rod has the advantage of reinforcing the joint between the rod and the head.

The terminal part of the pin with the flange ensures, in turn, two functions, namely, the pinching function of the pin in the structure and the function of limiting the movement of the pin within the backrest.

In practice, the length of the excess thickness portion s of the rod is less than or equal to the thickness of the foam layer in compression.

In this way, even when the foam layer is compressed to the maximum, the pin head does not

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it will never protrude from the foam layer.

Therefore, whatever the state of compression of the foam layer, the area of excess thickness of the rod will always be compressed inside the thickness of the foam and the head of the pin will remain on the periphery without protruding.

To allow this displacement of the pin, a hollow space is provided in the structure downstream of the hole in the direction of insertion of the rod, the depth of said hollow space corresponding to at least the distance p separating the first stop from the end of the terminal part

In this way, when the first stop is in contact with the wall of the structure, that is, when the foam is compressed to the maximum, the whole part of the stem downstream of the first stop is contained in this hollow space and does not go beyond of the back limit of the backrest.

It is thus completely hidden in the structure inside the backrest.

A hollow space of this type is generally easily realizable, since the current structures are molded or thermoformed, so that they have a honeycomb structure, therefore with numerous hollow spaces, joined by reinforcement zones.

According to one possibility, the terminal part of the pin shank consists of a spike that sharpens towards its free end and thus facilitates the insertion of the rod into the hole. This pin comprises peripheral fins capable of elastically deforming towards the shaft of the rod when coupling of the pin takes place in the hole for clamping.

It is not necessary for the free end of the terminal part to have a pointed shape. You can completely agree on a rounded shape.

The wingspan is slightly larger than the opening of the hole. Its insertion is possible anyway by a slight elastic deformation when the introduction of the terminal part into the hole takes place. The fins thus recover their initial shape after their introduction into the hole and thus the removal of the pin is no longer possible.

Preferably, the pin comprises two identical shafts in parallel that are suitable for insertion into two holes made in said wall of the structure.

The fact of having two rods makes it possible to enlarge the surface of the pin head and thus enlarge the plating surface of the coating against the foam layer.

The plating itself is also more resistant with the help of two stems.

Advantageously, the foam layer has a general shape that reproduces the curvature of the lumbar part of a user's back, said curvature comprising a concave part that is extended by a convex part that have a sinusoidal shape together, said pin being placed in the connection between the concave part and the convex part and being able to move in translation according to a predetermined axial displacement d with respect to the wall of the seat backrest structure.

Indeed, it is in the change of curve when the outer coating has a tendency to stretch and no longer coincide with the shape of the foam layer. Therefore, it is in this privileged place where it is necessary to place the pin.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the attached figures, for which:

- Figure 1 is a sectional view of a fixing / plating device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the pin;

- Figure 3 shows the internal structure of the backrest on which a foam layer rests;

- Figure 4 represents the pin inserted in the backrest structure, without the foam layer;

- Figure 5 illustrates the pin inserted in the backrest structure when the foam layer is not compressed;

- Figure 6 illustrates the pin inserted in the backrest structure when the foam layer is compressed.

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With reference to figure 1, the seat back is mainly composed of three parts:

- a rigid structure (1);

- an elastic foam layer (2) fixed to the structure (1);

- an outer covering (3), preferably of fabric, covering the entire foam layer (2) and defining the aesthetic aspect of the backrest.

The foam layer (2) substantially reproduces the shape of a person's lumbar curvature, so that the user's back rests on the entire surface of the backrest, and not only on a precise area of the backrest. This shape of the foam layer (2) thus considerably improves user comfort.

This curvature comprises a concave part that is extended by a convex part that have a sinusoidal shape together.

The lining (3) is attached to the peripheral edge of the backrest structure (1) so that it covers the foam layer (2) and is tensioned. Therefore, it does not naturally take the shape of the curvature of the foam layer (2) and, consequently, does not coincide with the shape of the foam layer in various places.

A plating device of the lining (3) against the foam layer (2) is thus provided at the level of changing the curvature of the backrest.

More precisely, a fixing pin (4) leans against the lining (3), passes through the foam (2) and comes to clamp on a wall (5) (see Figures 3 to 6) of the structure (1) of the back.

Figure 2 represents in detail this pin (4). It is provided with a flat head (6) and two parallel stems (7) that extend substantially orthogonally with respect to the head (6). Each stem (7) is constituted:

- by a portion of excess thickness (8) that joins the head (6) of the pin (4);

- for a thinner intermediate portion (9);

- by a terminal part (10) at the free end of the rod (7).

The terminal part (10) is provided to be pinched to the wall (5) of the structure (1) of the backrest, such as a spike. It is tuned towards its end and its sides are formed by two fins (14) constituted in a material capable of elastic deformation.

The boundary between the excess thickness portion (8) and the thinner intermediate portion (9) is marked by a flange consisting of a first stop (11).

The boundary between the intermediate portion (9) and the terminal portion (10) is marked by the free end of the fins (14) protruding from the intermediate portion (9), and consisting of a second stop (12).

These two stems (7) are suitable to be inserted in two holes (13) made in a wall (5) of the structure (1) of the backrest, as illustrated in Figure 3. The dimension of each hole (13) is slightly lower than the wingspan (14) of the terminal part (10) and, therefore, its insertion is only possible by elastic deformation of the fins (14) towards the shaft of the rod (7), thus allowing a clamping of the terminal part (10).

Figure 4 illustrates the pin (4) pinched in the two holes (13) of the wall (5) of the structure (1) of the backrest. For clarity, the foam layer (2) is not visible.

Once the pin (4) has been pinched, it can be freely moved according to an axial displacement (d) delimited by the two stops (11, 12) mentioned above. In particular, the axial displacement (d) corresponds to the length of the intermediate portions (9) of the stems (7).

In Figure 5, the pin (4) is in a first pinched position, with the second stop (12) of each rod (7) in contact with the wall (5) of the structure (1) of the backrest, so that the pin (4) is prevented from leaving the holes (13). The foam layer (2) is not compressed, and the pin (4) is in a maximum exit position. The distance (I) between the second stop (12) and the head (6) of the pin (4) defines the thickness (e) of foam that can be at most at the level of the pin (4). Since the foam layer (2) is elastic, it has a tendency to exert a force on the inner face (15) of the pin (4) towards the outside, so that it goes out to the maximum.

When a user leans on, the pressure of his back will compress the elastic foam layer (2), and the pin (4) follows this compression approaching the structure (1) of the backrest. As illustrated in Figure 6, the stems

(7) of the pin (4) penetrate deeper into the holes (13). This axial displacement of the pin (4) is limited by its first stop (11) that comes into contact with the wall (5) of the backrest structure (1). In this case, the pin (4) is in the inserted position, and the foam (2) is in a compression state. The thickness of the compressed foam layer (2) must not be less than the length (s) of the excess thickness portion of the stems 5 (7) (ie, the distance between the first stop (11) and the head ( 6) of the pin (4)), in which case the head (6) of the

pin (4) would be projected with respect to the outer surface of the foam layer (2) and not only would it no longer plate the liner (3) against the foam layer (2), but would also become a nuisance in the the user's back and thus cause an unpleasant sensation.

10 A hollow space (16) is provided within the structure (1) of the backrest, downstream of the holes (13) in the rear part of the backrest, so as to contain the stem part (7) inserted in the hole (13) when the pin (4) is in the inserted position. The depth of this hollow space (16) must thus correspond at least to the distance (p) that separates the first stop (11) and the end of the terminal part (10) from the rod (7).

15 When normal use of this seat backrest takes place, the pin (4) somehow follows the compression movements of the foam layer (2), so that it always plats the lining (3) against the foam layer (2) while going unnoticed on the user's back.

Claims (8)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 60 1. Device for fixing / plating an outer covering (3) against a seat backrest, comprising: - a backup structure (1) having a peripheral edge and a connector; - a fitting (2) covering the structure (1) of the backrest; - a covering (3) attached to the peripheral edge of the structure (1) of the backrest and covering the lining (2); - an intermediate pin-type fixing element (4) provided with an outer head (6) resting on the lining (3) and a rod (7) secured to said head (6) and extending through the fitting (2), the free end of the rod (7) consisting of a terminal part (10) that is fixed in the connector, such that an axial displacement of the organ in the connector occurs when a pressure is applied to the liner (3 ) and to the garnish (2), characterized in that the mechanical connection between the pin (4) and the structure (1) allows an axial displacement (d) of the pin (4), and that the axial displacement (d) of the pin (4) is delimited by two stops (11, 12), the first stop (11) being activated in the direction of insertion of the rod (7) through the foam layer (2) and the structure (1) so as to limit its insertion into the hole ( 13), the second stop (12) being activated in the direction of removal of the stem (7) so as to prevent it from leaving the hole (13), the first stop (11) consisting of a flange marking the boundary between a portion intermediate (9) of the rod (7) and an overweight portion (8) of the rod (7) that joins the head (6) of the pin (4), and marking the second stop (12) the boundary between said portion intermediate (9) and the terminal part (10) of the stem (7). 2. Fixing / plating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lining (2) consists of an elastic layer of thickness (e) of foam (2) fixed to the structure (1) of the backrest, the end portion ( 10) clamp elastically on the connector consisting of a hole (13) of a wall (5) of the structure (1), the length (l) being between the head (6) of the pin (4) and the terminal part ( 10) provided for the head (6) to rest on the lining (3) against the foam (2). 3. Fixing / plating device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each stop (11, 12) consists of a locking face in translation of the pin (4) oriented perpendicularly to the direction of insertion of the pin (4) in the hole (13) and located in front of the wall (5) of the structure (1) in which the hole (13) is made, said translational locking face being able to come into contact with said wall (5) of the structure (one). 4. Plating device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the length (s) of the over-thick portion (8) of the rod (7) is less than or equal to the thickness of the foam layer (2) in compression state 5. Plating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hollow space (16) is provided in the structure (1) downstream of the hole (13) in the direction of insertion of the rod (7), the depth corresponding said hollow space (16) at least at the distance (p) separating the first stop (11) from the end of the terminal part (10). 6. Plating device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal part (10) of the rod (7) of the pin (4) consists of a spike that sharpens towards its free end and comprising fins (14) peripherals capable of elastically deforming towards the shaft of the rod (7) when the engagement of the spike in the hole (13) for clamping takes place. 7. Plating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pin (4) comprises two identical rods (7) of parallel configuration suitable for insertion into two holes (13) made in said wall (5) of the structure ( one). 8. Plating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam layer (2) has a general shape that reproduces the curvature of the lumbar part of a user's back, said curvature comprising a concave part that extends by a convex part having a sinusoidal shape together, said pin (4) being placed at the junction between the concave part and the convex part and being able to move in translation according to a predetermined axial displacement (d) with respect to the wall ( 5) of the structure (1) of the seat back.